"Angel has represented his co-workers well, as a union shop steward and a contract negotiating committee member. If elected as State Representative, I believe he will bring that same level of commitment to the residents of Legislative District 16. It's about time that we as the labor movement and the working class elect one of our own to represent us in government." ~ Andrew Marshall, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 104

Tom ClementsEndorsed by Greater Columbia Central Labor Council of the South Carolina AFL-CIO

Running for U.S. Senate from South Carolina

The Greater Columbia Central Labor Council of the SC AFL-CIO has endorsed Green Party US Senate candidate Tom Clements in his bid against incumbent Republican Senator Jim DeMint and Democratic senatorial nominee Alvin Greene.

The CLC stated that they believe Tom Clements "will best represent the interests of the working people of South Carolina."

The most surprising and potentially significant development so far in the 77th District state Assembly race, where five Democrats are battling to replace retiring state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, does not involve one of the Democratic contenders.

Despite the fact that the Democratic primary in this historically Democratic district is just a few weeks off, the big news involves Green Party candidate Ben Manski.

The endorsement of Manski's candidacy by Madison Teachers Inc., one of the most politically powerful and engaged local unions, alters the character of the fall race -- no matter who wins the Democratic nomination.

Howie Hawkins, candidate for Governor of New York and member of Teamsters Local 317, is being supported by a Labor Committee for Howie Hawkins, initiated by group of union officers and rank-and-file members to promote his campaign in New York labor movement.

Mr. Hawkins has strongly criticized attacks by Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo on Public Employee Unions and proposed austerity policy for New York, which would hurt public employees without increasing taxes on the state's wealthiest residents

Roger Gay, candidate for Maine State Representative in District 134, received an endorsement from the Maine State AFL-CIO and SEIU Local 1989. Mr. Gay is an elected executive board member of Unite Here Local 406.

Hugh GiordanoEndorsed by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 152

Running for State Representative, District 194, Pennsylvania

Hugh has been endorsed by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 152. He has also received financial support from Teamsters, Local 77; Iron Workers, Local 401; Iron Workers, Local 405; and Bricklayers, Local 1. Mr. Giordano is a full-time union organizer running against a Democrat who is also a CEO and management consultant.

"There isn't anyone better than Ben to protect the rights and paychecks of Wisconsin's hard working families. Fire Fighters Local 311 is proud to support and stand with Ben, a true trade unionist." says Joe, President. "We look forward to working with Ben on protecting the funding for public safety in the state and making sure those same people, have a pension that will protect them in their retirement years."

The Ivey for City Council campaign is proud to announce its endorsement by the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1189. "I deeply appreciate this statement of the need in Ward 2 for a representative who will support all workers and uphold our city's Living Wage ordinance," said Jim Ivey. "It’s wrong to stereotype any broad category of work as mere 'entry-level jobs.' When I spoke with commercial workers demonstrating at workplaces this summer I heard about many working families who rely on good wages and benefits to stay afloat in this economy." UFCW Local 1189's Bernie Hesse stated, "Jim gets it that policy needs to benefit all, not just a few. As a former executive and a small-business owner, he gets how to run a business and he also gets the needs and concerns of workers."

Ivey has consistently advocated for a fair economy, and public policies that raise standards for working families. In April, he testified against the proposal to give a special exemption from the Living Wage ordinance to a private development that involved millions in public subsidy. "Granting an exemption to the Living Wage for an already-thriving business in a successful part of town creates a very dangerous precedent against enforcing this important standard in the future," Ivey said. "Pitting one group of workers against another in the name of short-term jobs is not the approach I will bring to the office."

"Instead of focusing on questionable subsidy deals for one-time projects, I will boost a broad network of small enterprises and fight for good, living wage jobs for all workers," said Ivey. He has proposed starting with a citywide "Shop Local Saint Paul" campaign as a practical step to shift more shopping dollars to locally-owned, independent businesses, and consequently create more jobs. Several studies have shown that three times as much of each dollar spent at a locally-owned business will go back into the local economy when compared to large corporate chains.

Mark Miller has won the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW), a major industrial labor union, in his bid to become the new state representative of the Pittsfield district.

Willie Desnoyers, president of the UAW Massachusetts State CAP Council, said: "I'm proud to report that the UAW MA State CAP Council has endorsed Mark Miller for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District. We are looking forward to working with Mark in the state Legislature. It is important to us that Labor endorses candidates that will respect collective bargaining rights and job creation in Massachusetts. We feel Mark is the best choice for Labor."